NCB Unveils Darknet Drug Trafficking Ring, Confiscates 2,338 LSD Blotters
Synopsis
In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau has dismantled a darknet drug trafficking network, seizing over 2,300 LSD blotters and various other narcotics. This operation highlights the growing challenges posed by illicit online drug trade in India.
Key Takeaways
2,338 LSD blotters seized from a darknet trafficking network.
Operation reveals growing use of encrypted platforms for drug distribution.
Previous convictions highlight ongoing efforts against drug smuggling.
International connections in drug trafficking are increasingly common.
Public awareness is crucial in combating drug abuse.
New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) – The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully dismantled a drug trafficking network engaged in the distribution of narcotics via darknet platforms and the encrypted Session messaging application, seizing a total of 2,338 LSD blotters. This operation, which began in January 2025, was confirmed by an official on Sunday.
In the course of this significant operation, NCB agents confiscated not only the 2,338 LSD blotters but also 160 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills weighing 77.517 grams, 73.612 grams of charas, 3.642 grams of amphetamine, and 3.6 kg of liquid MDMA. These items were discovered in 13 domestic parcels and 2 international parcels from the Netherlands that were linked to the trafficking network, as noted in an official statement.
This operation underscores the increasing trend of drug traffickers utilizing darknet marketplaces and encrypted communication for the distribution of illegal substances, as stated by the NCB.
“This operation represents one of the most substantial efforts to combat darknet-based narcotics trafficking networks operating within India,” the NCB declared.
Previously, the NCB secured a conviction against a drug trafficker involved in a 2022 heroin smuggling case across the Indo-Pak border at Jalalabad, Punjab.
A Special NDPS Court in Fazilka sentenced Vakeel Singh, a resident of Dhandi Qadim, Fazilka, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
This particular case involved the seizure of 1.790 kg of heroin by the BSF in September 2022, thwarting an attempt to smuggle it across the border.
The NCB later took over this case, discovering that the narcotics, allegedly supplied by a Pakistani national, were retrieved by the convict from the border and hidden in cold drink bottles within a tractor's bumper.
Moreover, the NCB recently dismantled an international drug trafficking operation connecting Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, resulting in the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of 77.60 kg of Hashish Oil along with 2 kg of Charas, collectively valued at nearly Rs 10 crore.
Following credible intelligence regarding drug movements across multiple states, officers from the NCB's Hyderabad Zonal Unit apprehended a Tata Safari Storme car on March 3 near the Raikal Toll Plaza along the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Highway in Telangana.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, they uncovered 2 kg of Charas concealed in specially designed compartments. Two suspects were arrested: one from Delhi and another from Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the drug transportation, according to an NCB statement.
Initial investigations revealed the Charas, alongside approximately 78 kg of Hashish Oil, had been trafficked into India from Kathmandu, Nepal, via the Sonauli Indo-Nepal border. The consignment of 78 kg Hashish Oil had already been delivered by these individuals to Thoothukudi for further distribution to Sri Lanka via sea routes.
Point of View
The recent operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau illustrates the escalating challenge of drug trafficking through modern technological avenues like the darknet. As authorities adapt their strategies to combat this growing threat, public awareness and collaborative efforts will be essential in curbing drug abuse.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the NCB seize in the recent operation?
The NCB seized 2,338 LSD blotters, along with 160 MDMA pills, charas, amphetamine, and liquid MDMA during their operation.
How does the darknet facilitate drug trafficking?
The darknet provides a platform for anonymous transactions, making it easier for traffickers to distribute narcotics without detection.
What was the outcome of previous drug trafficking cases?
In a prior case, a trafficker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for heroin smuggling across the Indo-Pak border.
What is the significance of this operation?
This operation highlights the NCB's commitment to combating modern drug trafficking methods and the increasing challenges posed by new technology.
What other drug trafficking activities has the NCB recently uncovered?
The NCB recently dismantled an international drug network involving Nepal and Sri Lanka, seizing a large quantity of Hashish Oil and charas.
